The much-awaited modern bus terminus here will be operational by August 15. The bus terminus, which has been developed along the NH-6 at Ainthapali, will operate on public-private partnership mode.
Deputy commissioner of Sambalpur Municipal Corporation Sudhansu Bhoi said, “Work on the bus terminus has already been completed. A Sambalpur-based private firm has been selected for the operation and maintenance of the bus terminus.”
Earlier, a bus stand was operating on 5.26 acre at Ainthapali. The bus stand did not have basic amenities putting passengers to inconvenience.
Subsequently steps were initiated to develop a modern bus terminus there. The Bhusan Power and Steel Limited, Thelkuli, was entrusted with the responsibility of developing the modern bus terminus. Work on the modern bus terminus began on the land at Ainthapali after the private bus stand, which was operating there, was shifted to a new location for a temporary period in January 2014. The terminus has been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 13 crore.
Parking facilities for buses and autorickshaws, multipurpose booking counters, administrative building, kiosks, food court, solar light arrangement and many more amenities will be made available to the passengers in the modern bus terminus. Out of the 21,375 square metre area, 6,412.20 square metre is reserved for bus parking and 1,099.31 square metre for parking of autorickshaws and taxis. All the buses, including those of the OSRTC, city buses and private buses, will operate from the bus terminus.
